Managing Editor, Foclóir Stairiúil na Gaeilge Department Foclóir Stairiúil na Gaeilge (FNG) Reporting to Executive Director Contract type €€63,706 - €104,609 Close date 15:00 on 31 August 2026

Applications are invited for the position of Managing Editor, Foclóir Stairiúil na Gaeilge (FNG) based at the Royal Irish Academy (RIA).

Key info Status Open Department Foclóir Stairiúil na Gaeilge (FNG) Reporting to Executive Director Contract type Permanent Salary 63,706 - €104,609 Close date 15:00 on 31 August 2026

Reporting to the Executive Director of the RIA, the Managing Editor will provide strategic, scholarly and operational leadership for FNG. The postholder will be responsible for the overall delivery of the project, ensuring the highest standards of editorial quality, research excellence and organisational effectiveness, while fostering partnerships that support the long-term development and impact of the dictionary.

Foclóir Stairiúil na Gaeilge is producing an authoritative dictionary of the Irish language on historical principles, focused on the modern period (post-1600). The dictionary is building on the Academy's published work on medieval and early-modern Irish lexicography and its published collections on modern dialects of Irish. The new dictionary has as its foundation a large digital corpus of Irish texts that was purpose-built for modern lexicography.

FNG receives funding from the Department of the Gaeltacht, and the production of the new dictionary is an objective of the government's 20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language . The Academy's latest strategic plan for 2024-28 is available here: .

Key accountabilities Strategic leadership and project development

• Lead the development and implementation of the strategic vision, priorities and work programme for FNG, ensuring alignment with the Royal Irish Academy's mission and strategic objectives
• Oversee the planning and delivery of the dictionary project, ensuring that editorial, research and publication objectives are achieved to agreed standards, timelines and milestones
• Monitor developments in lexicography, digital humanities and Irish-language research, identifying opportunities to enhance the project's methodologies, outputs and impact
• Contribute to Academy-wide strategic planning and participate as a member of the Academy's Senior Management team

Editorial and scholarly oversight

• Provide overall editorial leadership for the dictionary research programme, ensuring the quality, consistency and scholarly integrity of all published content
• Oversee editorial policies, standards and workflows for dictionary compilation, revision and publication
• Guide the development of research methodologies and editorial practices, drawing on national and international best practice in historical lexicography
• Support and mentor staff in the delivery of high-quality scholarly outputs, in line with programme goals

Stakeholder engagement and external relations

• Represent the project nationally and internationally and act as an ambassador within the academic, cultural and public sectors
• Foster collaborative relationships with other dictionary, language and digital humanities projects in Ireland and internationally
• Promote awareness and engagement with the programme through participation in conferences, public events and other outreach activities, while maintaining key relationships with stakeholders, including government departments, funding bodies, higher education institutions, Irish-language organisations and relevant scholarly networks

Leadership and people management

• Lead, manage and support the FNG team, fostering a collaborative, inclusive and high-performing working environment
• Oversee staff recruitment, performance management, professional development and succession planning
• Ensure effective communication and coordination across the programme team and with Academy colleagues
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement, innovation and knowledge sharing

Project management and resource planning

• Oversee planning, resource allocation and risk management for the programme to ensure delivery of agreed objectives and milestones
• Monitor the programme's performance and prepare reports for Academy governance structures, funders and other stakeholders as required
• Ensure that programme activities comply with relevant policies, procedures and reporting requirements
• Manage the programme budget and associated resources, ensuring effective financial planning, monitoring and control
• Identify, pursue and maintain opportunities for external funding, partnerships and collaborative initiatives that support the long-term sustainability of the programme
• Contribute to the preparation of funding applications and business cases as necessary
• Support the continued development of the requisite digital infrastructure, systems and tools that underpin the compilation, management and dissemination of the dictionary
• Work with internal and external partners to maximise the accessibility, usability and impact of digital outputs
• Promote innovation in the use of technology, data and digital scholarship within the project

Note: To qualify candidates must be eligible by the date of any job offer. This job description is a guide to broad areas of responsibility and accountability and should not be regarded as a comprehensive listing. The job description may be subject to review in view of new structures and / or the changing needs of the Academy.

• A PhD in Irish, lexicography or a related field
• Expert proficiency and fluency in Modern Irish
• At least five years' post-qualification experience, preferably within an education or research environment
• A strong track record of academic publications in a relevant area
• A good knowledge of the history of the Irish language and an in-depth knowledge of Modern Irish from 1600 to the present day
• Lexicographical experience and in particular, a good understanding of historical lexicography
• An ability to act as spokesperson and advocate for the programme, articulating its plans and objectives to stakeholders and the public
• Ability to plan effectively, to prioritise and to deliver a clear and focused strategy that allows flexibility for matters arising
• Experience in delivering projects on time and within budget
• Proven organisational skills and high attention to detail
• Excellent research, analytical, ICT and report writing skillsExperience managing people, maintaining a high-performing team and working collaboratively with stakeholders
• Experience working with government stakeholders, particularly within the Gaeltacht and heritage sectors
• Experience with budget management
• Experience of preparing successful funding applications

Further information Salary: Salary is on the SAES Scale €63,706 - €104,609. Candidates should note that entry will be at the minimum of the scale and the rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with government pay policy. If you are currently a serving civil or public servant, your entry point to the pay scale may be higher based on your current salary.

Hours of work: The normal hours of work are 35 hours per week. Overtime is not paid in respect of excess attendance which, should it arise, is discharged by time off in lieu at times agreed in advance with the Executive Director. This role is suitable for hybrid working.

Leave: The annual leave entitlement is 30 days per annum, pro-rata for shorter periods. Entitlement to leave for public holidays is in accordance with the terms of the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997. There may be a requirement to take up to four days annual leave where the Academy is closed at Christmas.

Employee benefits: Examples of some of our current employee benefits include:

• Generous annual leave entitlement
• Family friendly policies
• Blended working policy
• Availability of an optical benefit scheme
• Availability of a cycle to work scheme
• A range of learning and developmental opportunities
• Sick leave scheme
• Paid maternity, adoptive and paternity Leave
• Automatically entered into a pension scheme
• Employee assistance programme

Medical: Staff shall, if required, and at the expense of the Academy, submit to a medical examination by a registered medical practitioner nominated by the Academy and shall authorise such medical practitioner to disclose and to discuss with the Academy the results of the examination and the matters which arise from it so that the Academy can ascertain any matters that they consider might impair a staff member from properly discharging his/her duties.

Pension: Details of the appropriate pension scheme will be provided upon determination of appointee's status.

Permanent pension contribution: This appointment is subject to the Additional Superannuation Contribution (ASC) effective from 1 January 2019.

Application Process Applicants will be shortlisted based on information provided in their application.

Please note: failure to fulfil the application requisites will deem the application invalid.

Closing date: 31 August at 15:00. Late applications will not be considered.

It is anticipated that interviews will be held week commencing 21.09.2026.

Please note this interview will include competency-based interview questions.

Candidates should note that panels may be formed from which future positions may be filled.
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